Fingernail Filing Device

ABSTRACT

A fingernail filing device that can be worn on a user&#39;s finger. The fingernail filing device includes a tubular cover having an open first end and a closed second end, wherein the tubular cover is sized and shaped so as to be worn on a user&#39;s finger. The tubular cover is preferably composed of an elastic material so that the tubular cover can fit snugly onto any user&#39;s finger. The underside of the tubular cover includes a support thereon, wherein an abrasive pad is disposed on the support. The abrasive pad is configured for use in filing fingernails and/or toenails. The support helps to improve the durability and integrity of the fingernail filing device so that the tubular cover does not rip or tear during use.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/087,367 filed on Dec. 4, 2014. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to fingernail filing devices. More specifically, the present invention provides a fingernail filing device comprising a tubular cover that can be worn on a user's finger. The tubular cover comprises an abrasive pad thereon, wherein the abrasive pad can be used to file, grind, or shape a fingernail.

Fingernails and toenails must be periodically cut or filed in order to provide a pleasing appearance and so as to eliminate any rough or sharp edges. Further, after cutting fingernails to reduce the length thereof, the fingernails may then be filed in order to provide a smooth, curved shape. Generally, people file their own fingernails by using a nail file, emery board, or similar tool.

Filing fingernails can be difficult and time consuming, particularly for those with poor hand dexterity. The user must hold the nail file in one hand, position the nail file over a nail to be filed, and then move the nail file back and forth while applying gentle pressure. This process requires a soft touch and a steady hand. People having poor hand strength or dexterity may be unable to hold the tool and file their fingernails. Thus, a device that allows users to more easily file their fingernails is desired.

Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to sanding devices. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to sanding or brushing devices that can be worn on or positioned on a user's finger or fingers, such as U.S. Patent No. 911,838, U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2011/0151758, U.S. Pat. No. 3,070,102, U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,178, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,549,188.

These prior art devices have several known drawbacks. The devices in the prior art fail to provide a fingernail sanding device that can be worn on a finger of a user that includes a support on which an abrasive pad is mounted. Some devices provide sanding surfaces, but such surfaces are not adapted for use in filing a user's fingernails and further such devices fail to provide a support on which the abrasive pad is disposed in order to provide stability and durability to the sanding device.

In light of the devices disclosed in the prior art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing sanding devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of fingernail filing devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new fingernail filing device wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when grinding and shaping fingernails.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved fingernail filing device comprising a tubular cover having an open first end and a closed second end, wherein a user can insert a portion of his or her finger therein.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a fingernail filing device comprising a tubular cover having an abrasive pad disposed thereon adapted for use in grinding or shaping fingernails.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fingernail filing device comprising a support disposed on the tubular member, wherein an abrasive pad is disposed on the support.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a fingernail filing device comprising a tubular housing composed of an elastic material so as to allow the cover to fit snugly onto fingers of various sizes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fingernail filing device that may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1A shows a view of the underside of the fingernail filing device.

FIG. 1B shows a view of the front of the fingernail filing device.

FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view of the fingernail filing device.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the fingernail filing device as worn on a user's finger.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the fingernail filing device. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for filing a user's fingernails. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, there are shown underside and front views of the fingernail filing device, respectively. The fingernail filing device 11 comprises a tubular cover 12 having an open first end 16 and a closed second end 15. The tubular cover 12 comprises a hollow interior volume in which an upper portion of a user's finger can be positioned. Preferably, the tubular cover 12 is sized so as to cover the first knuckle of a user's finger. However, in alternate embodiments, the tubular cover 12 may enclose a user's entire finger. Preferably, the tubular cover 12 is composed of an elastic material that can stretch and expand so as to fit on fingers of various sizes.

The tubular cover 12 further includes a front surface 14 and an underside surface 13. The underside surface 13 comprises a support 17 disposed thereon. The support 17 is flush against the underside surface 13 and an abrasive pad 18 is disposed thereon. The abrasive pad 18 comprises a rough or abrasive surface adapted for use in filing a fingernail. The abrasive pad 18 may be any of various materials, such as an emery board, ceramic, glass, metal, or crystal, among other suitable materials. The support 17 is configured to prevent the tubular cover 12 from ripping or otherwise becoming damaged from the use of the abrasive pad 18 in filing a fingernail. Thus, the support 17 stabilizes and improves the durability of the fingernail filing device 11.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a cross sectional view of the fingernail filing device. The support 17 is shown as being disposed on the underside of the tubular cover 12. The support 17 preferably extends from the second end 15 towards the first end 16 thereof. However, in some embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment, the support 17 does not extend entirely to the first end 16 of the tubular cover 12. The abrasive pad 18 is disposed directly on the support 17, wherein the abrasive pad 18 is placed flush thereagainst. The abrasive pad 18 may entirely cover the support 17 or may be positioned on only a portion thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of the fingernail filing device as worn on a user's finger. In operation, a user can position the open first end 16 of the tubular cover 12 onto a finger, such as the index finger. The user inserts his or her finger into the tubular cover 12 until the user's finger reaches the closed second end 15 thereof. The tubular cover 12 is composed of an elastic material so as to fit snugly onto the user's finger. The underside of the tubular cover 12 comprises an abrasive pad 18 disposed on a support 17, such that the abrasive pad 18 is positioned on the palm side 31 of a user's hand 30.

The user can position the abrasive pad 18 over a fingernail and can move the abrasive pad 18 in a back and forth motion so as to file the fingernail. In this way, the user does not need to hold a filing instrument and can simply move the finger having a fingernail filing device 11 thereon back and forth against a fingernail in order to cause the abrasive pad 18 to file the fingernail.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim: 1) A fingernail filing device, comprising: a tubular cover having an open first end and a closed second end, wherein said tubular cover is adapted to cover an upper portion of a user's finger; an abrasive pad disposed on an underside of said tubular cover, wherein said abrasive pad is adapted for use in filing a fingernail. 2) The fingernail filing device of claim 1, wherein said tubular cover is composed of an elastic material. 3) The fingernail filing device of claim 1, wherein said abrasive pad is disposed on a support, wherein said support is disposed on said tubular cover. 4) The fingernail filing device of claim 3, wherein said support is positioned flush against said underside of said tubular cover. 5) The fingernail filing device of claim 4, wherein said abrasive pad entirely covers said support. 6) The fingernail filing device of claim 4, wherein said abrasive pad covers a portion of said support. 